Overview

This is where it all started! The first classic Phryne Fisher mystery, featuring our delectable heroine, cocaine, communism and adventure. Phryne leaves the tedium of English high society for Melbourne, Australia, and never looks back.

The London season is in full fling at the end of the 1920s, but the Honorable Phryne Fisher—she of the green-grey eyes, diamant garters and outfits that should not be sprung suddenly on those of nervous dispositions—is rapidly tiring of the tedium...

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Overview

This is where it all started! The first classic Phryne Fisher mystery, featuring our delectable heroine, cocaine, communism and adventure. Phryne leaves the tedium of English high society for Melbourne, Australia, and never looks back.

The London season is in full fling at the end of the 1920s, but the Honorable Phryne Fisher—she of the green-grey eyes, diamant garters and outfits that should not be sprung suddenly on those of nervous dispositions—is rapidly tiring of the tedium of arranging flowers, making polite conversations with retired colonels, and dancing with weak-chinned men. Instead, Phryne decides it might be rather amusing to try her hand at being a lady detective in Melbourne, Australia.

Almost immediately from the time she books into the Windsor Hotel, Phryne is embroiled in mystery: poisoned wives, cocaine smuggling rings, corrupt cops and communism—not to mention erotic encounters with the beautiful Russian dancer, Sasha de Lisse—until her adventure reaches its steamy end in the Turkish baths of Little Lonsdale Street.

Editorial Reviews

Publishers Weekly

The growing American audience for Kerry Greenwood's independent 1920s female sleuth will be delighted that Cocaine Blues: A Phryne Fisher Mystery, the Australian author's diverting first mystery, is finally available in the U.S. Fisher's quick, off-the-cuff, solution to a high society jewel theft leads her to a variety of other puzzles, including identifying the king of snow, who has taken over the Melbourne drug trade. Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.

From the Publisher

"With Phryne Fisher, the indefatigable Greenwood has invented the character-you-fall-in-love-with genre." —The Australian

"The tricky plot, lively writing, likable flapper sleuth, and superb sense of period will delight readers who have already read (or will be motivated to seek) later books in the series already issued by Poisoned Pen." —Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine

"The growing American audience for Phryne Fisher, Australian author Greenwood's independent 1920s female sleuth, will be delighted that her diverting first mystery is finally available in the U.S." —Publisher's Weekly

“This series is the best Australian import since Nicole Kidman, and Phryne is the flashiest new female sleuth in the genre.” —Booklist starred review of Away with the Fairies

Related Subjects

Meet the Author

Kerry Greenwood was born in the Melbourne suburb of Footscray and after wandering far and wide, she returned to live there. She has degrees in English and Law from Melbourne University and was admitted to the legal profession on the 1st April 1982, a day which she finds both soothing and significant. Kerry has written twenty novels, a number of plays, including The Troubadours with Stephen D'Arcy, is an award-winning children's writer and has edited and contributed to several anthologies. The Phryne Fisher series (pronounced Fry-knee, to rhyme with briny) began in 1989 with Cocaine Blues which was a great success. Kerry has written sixteen books in this series with no sign yet of Miss Fisher hanging up her pearl-handled pistol. Kerry says that as long as people want to read them, she can keep writing them. In 2003 Kerry Won the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Australian Association.

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A Great introduction to the fascinating world of Phryne Fisher

I'm a guy, don;t like romances stories, and LOVE the Phyrne Fisher series. I listened on audio on a long commute but got my wife and daughter the books. Great entertainment in different time (1928 was a time shaped by the first world war, a different place 1928 Australia with characters from around the globe), a different society (blue bloods and communists, high life and low life, and Russian royalty on the run) and a delightful woman with very modern ideas and her interesting band of helpers, and some too believable villians in need of being removed from society. I really enjoy the length, a lot is covered, personalities revealed and never a dull boring moment. This is real Hollywood material and characters, I mean that in the best possible way. Kerry Greenwood is a wonderful writer, and with the turn of a phrase she gives you great insight and understanding. If you start here you are sure to have a great time reading subsequent books. I recommend reading the first 3 or 4 in order to get most of the characters in place. I didnt do that and enjoyed them, but knowing the characters background does help the enjoyment of later books. What else do i like, so you may have some idea if we have similar tastes? Alan Bradley, John Grisham, Michael Crichton, Tom Clancy, Orson Scott Card, David Weber, Edgar Rice Rurroughs, Robert E Howeard, amd Brian Greene. Try Kerry Greenwood's Phryne Fisher and then her Corina Chapman series. You will be delighted.

8 out of 8 people found this review helpful.

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The Snow King

What a fantastic read! Who wouldn't love a woman who drives fast cars, knows the intricacies of the martial arts, can take down a man twice her size and does it all while wearing white gloves, a french hairstyle and the most stylish of couture.

Full Review; http://bookywooks.blogspot.com/2010/01/snow-king.html

3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

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A great mystery

It is the height of the London season, but the Honorable Phyrne Fisher is bored when the Colonel and his wife asked her to check on their daughter Lydia in Australia. She jumps at the chance. They fear that someone is poisoning Lydia because when they see her she looks sickly, but upon returning home she appears very healthy. Phyrne arrives in Melbourne loaded with baggage as she meets cabbies Bert and Cec, who take her to the Windsor Hotel.---- She meets Dorothy Bryant, who is waiting outside a certain establishment with a knife in her hands. She befriends the woman, who was almost raped by her employer¿s son before getting fried. Phyrne gets revenge on the bloke and hires Dorothy as her maid she also finds a way to meet Lydia at a soiree. She promises Cec and Bert she will help them find a butcher abortionist killing innocent girls. Phyrne also becomes entangled with a troupe of exiled Russian who seek revenge on acertain personthe person who got a family member hooked on coke. She promises to help them too as this is a part of a normal day for the reinvented Phyrne.---- This is the first Phyrne Fisher mystery, which introduces readers to the sleuthing origins of a highly regarded protagonist. She is a strong believer in women¿s rights, but works within the system to get what she wants whether it is information or sex with a partner of her choice. As always 1920s Australia is fascinating as Kerri Greenwood uses vivid descriptions to make it come alive in the mind¿s eye.----- Harriet Klausner

3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

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Anonymous

Posted February 15, 2014

Very highly recommended

Cocaine Blues is the first in the series of "Miss Fisher Murder Mysteries" books by award-winning Australian author, Kerry Greenwood. Australian by birth, born to poverty, and raised to wealth only by fortunes of inheritance, Miss Phryne Fisher is delightfully adventurous and provocatively "modern" in 1928 society. She has been engaged to investigate a young lady's unexplained illness by alarmed and concerned parents, and her journey to solve the riddle takes her from England to the land of her birth in distant Melbourne Australia. There she storms the bastions of Melbourne society, rescues more than one society underdog, pilots a race car at dizzying speeds, faces down corruption and cocaine smugglers, and generally beguiles and enchants nearly all those she encounters. The descriptive text is a feast for the eyes and the imagination. The reader will find delightful insights into the lifestyles of both the hoi-poloi and the commoner of the late 1920s. If you've seen the Australian ABC TV show MISS FISHER MURDER MYSTERIES, then be prepared for a pleasant surprise; the book is even more delightful than the visually entrancing portrayals of the show. Put on your finest bib and tucker, your most fashionable wrap, and jump in with both feet. A delight awaits!

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

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Anonymous

Posted November 23, 2013

Great fun

Excellent story- I love both the characters and this book's historical setting.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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Anonymous

Posted July 23, 2012

Good story

Not completely believable in parts, but good fun

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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Anonymous

Posted February 1, 2006

A Delightful Read

The London Season is in full fling at the end of the 1920¿s, but Phryne finds herself bored with the usual high society trivialities. So she decides that it might be fun to try her hand at being a lady detective in Melbourne, Australia. The Colonel and his wife have asked her to look into the matter of their daughter. She has been sickly since she married and moved to Australia and they feel that there is more to it than meets the eye. Phryne leaves the tedium of English high society for Melbourne, Australia, and never looks back. From the time she arrives Phryne is entangled in mysterious goings on: poisoning, cocaine smuggling, corrupt cops and communism. Not to mention erotic encounters with a handsome Russian dancer. I really enjoyed this book. Phryne is a high spirited, delightful and memorable character who I can¿t wait to read more about. She has more fun and adventure in a day than most people have in a lifetime. It was a terrific read from beginning to end. A fun romp thru the 1920¿s yet with gripping details about the struggles of women during this time. The story line was wonderful, the characters were intriguing , the period detail was just great (love the clothing), and the dialogue spirited and witty. Phyrne Fisher is a heroine you will want to read about again and again.

1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

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Anonymous

Posted December 30, 2014

Great read!

The first book in a ligh-hearted, addictive series. Phryne (rhymes with shiney) is a modern woman who takes 1920's Melbourn by storm. The mysteries aren't especially difficult but they're fun & full of period detail.

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Anonymous

Posted December 12, 2014

go miss fisher!!!

everyone needs a hero and i have found a new one in miss phryne! an uncompromising female character, this first novel introduces fabulous characters and a well thought out plot. gives a glimpse into the flapper age in australia. can't wait to read the rest! ps catch the PBS tv series - awesome, but the book is better!

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Pinecone

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Anonymous

Posted October 22, 2014

|The Rogue Border|

Beyond the boundaries of pact

|The Rogue Border| <br />

<br />

Beyond the boundaries of pact clan territories lies unexplored wilderness. These lands could contain anything and for thrill seekers and adventurers, it may seem like a challenge worth taking on. But caution must be taken when traveling through the rugged landscape, for this area is a favorite for rogues and not all may be friendly. There is even rumors of traitors and murderers residing there after being exiled from the clans. But whatever the story, one thing remains clear; this is no place for clan cats. <br />

<br />

So this is the rogue border. It probably won't be patrolled but cats going between clan and wilderness territories should post here. Remember rogues can either try to join clans or cause trouble for them. Either way they're interesting! There is to be no leader of the rogue group. <br />

<br />

~ The Rogue Border: Lilywolf, Original Pact Clan Organizer.

0 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

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Anonymous

Posted October 22, 2014

Test 18

Lilywolf

0 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

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Anonymous

Posted June 5, 2014

Excellent!

I really loved this book and will be reading the entire series. I was first introduced to Phryne by the tv series on Netflix (which I absolutely loved) because of my interest in mysteries in general. The characters were lots of fun. And it had just the right amount of sex and humor. It was witty and scandalous. But I truly enjoyed the adventurous, brave and liberated Miss Phryne Fisher.

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Anonymous

Posted May 31, 2014

The TV series is better

I only got this book because I've become obsessed with the Australian TV series ( I think PBS is carrying it now). The book is well written and the characters are easily drawn to scale, but there is something missing. I might have a different view if there was no visual version. Don't get me wrong..I LOVE Phryne Fisher. She is cool, collected and always in charge.
That being said, I will watch every episode, but I probably wont buy any other books in the series. Tis a shame, truly. I guess my expectations were a little too high.

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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Anonymous

Posted April 5, 2014

Couldn't get into the character or the writing. Didn't seem to g

Couldn't get into the character or the writing. Didn't seem to go anywhere.

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TSeith

Posted April 4, 2014

Cocaine Blues won't make you blue....it's a good read!

I had only known this series through a tv mystery series, via Netflix. I liked it so much, I decided to read the book, and I was delighted! I think the books are a bit darker than the tv version, and the plots are different, but it's not a bad thing at all. The books are very well written and readers will enjoy Miss Fisher's unorthodox life. The atmosphere of the twenties is delightful. I had a tough time putting it down....and then read the next four books in quick succession. So, mystery lovers, give this a try!

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kaywKK

Posted March 28, 2014

Entirely fabulous

Wonderful book and wonderful series.
Seriously addictive series - bought one and am now on book 14 (of 19).
Recommendation 10 stars!!

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DavidCFL

Posted February 28, 2014

Highly Recommended

Cocaine Blues is the first in the series of "Miss Fisher Murder Mysteries" books by Australian author, Kerry Greenwood. Miss Phryne Fisher is delightfully adventurous and provocatively "modern" in 1928 society. There she storms the bastions of Melbourne society, rescues more than one underdog, pilots a car at high speeds, faces down corruption, smugglers, and generally beguiles and enchants nearly all those she encounters. The text is a enjoyment and imaginative. The reader will find delightful insights into the lifestyles of both the high society and the commoner of the late 1920s. If you've seen the Australian ABC TV show MISS FISHER MURDER MYSTERIES, then be prepared for a pleasant surprise; the book is even more delightful than the visual portrayals of the show. Put on your finest, your most and jump in with both feet. A delight awaits!

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Anonymous

Posted January 24, 2014

Great Series

I actually watched the series on Netflix and really enjoyed it so I decided to give the books a try and was not disappointed. A great read.

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Anonymous

Posted September 17, 2013

Good regional and era series

Enjoy but as another review suggested try to read in order can be a little confusing t v pbs series nice follow uo but they twick and omit read first pbs on dvds her modern day traditional figure baker is a good series too Mom

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